Horse shot twice in Mason County

[ponto]

Mason County Sheriffs Department responded to a shooting in rural Mason County this morning.

At approximately 9:30 AM Friday Danny Hilterbrand discovered an injured horse lying in one of the horse pastures in Mason County.

A closer look revealed one of 15 horses had been shot twice by an unknown assailant and they were unable to get the horse to sit or stand up.

After an hour and a half of working with the injured horse, the horse was able to stand up. The first gunshot a ripped the left rear ankle of the horse. The second of two gunshots entered the left side of the horse. The bullets remained lodged in the animal as it was led to a holding pen.

Sheriffs deputies are investigating the shooting, photographed the wounds and gathered evidence.

At first it was thought that it might have been a hunting accident, but because of two gunshot wounds to one animal, it appeared to be attempted murder.

A blood trail showed that the horse was able to run approximately 50 yards before collapsing.

Normally, because of the type of wounds, the horse would be put down according to Doug Wahl who was on the scene administering first aid. The leg injury will probably mean an end to horses career.

The Herb Farm @ Strodes Run has been an animal rescue for several years for the Mason County Area and will provide the facilities for the horses rehabilitation. Locust Creek Farm has offered to provide medical supplies. Danny and Connie Hilterbrand are volunteering their time to help with the daily care.

The animal may not be able to the things it once did, but with a little luck, the horse can have a comfortable retirement. The next 24 hours are very important in the recovery.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information regarding the shooting should contact the Mason County Sheriff's Office at 606-564-3309.

[Foxy]

Where in Mason Co. did this happen??
This is just outrageous! OK, hear me out. I can see where in the country someone might accuse a neighbors dog of chasing livestock (be it true or not), and shoot at the dog... but what the heck is a horse doing?
Cause I can't count the number of times that those darn horses are harasing livestock and people! C'mon!! What the heck is wrong with people!!

[kcredden]

Probably some very stupid kids, with too many guns, and too much violence in their life. Kids such as this, need to be locked away, for it's been shown that kids who abuse animals, tend to grow up into adults who abuse spouses, and children too.

Would like to hear more of what happens, if possible. I hope the horse recovers, and soon.

- Kevin

[bostonbaby]

That is terrible!!! Why do people have to be so mean? I hope whoever did this is caught and punished. Shame we can't go back to public hangings. Maybe people would think twice before they acted if they knew they wouldn't be given three squares a day, a free education, and health care.
I hope the horse will be ok. Thank God for the people that are helping with the horse. We need more people like that in this world.

[ponto]

In another horse shooting in Kentucky, the story below shows that these shootings are being investigated and people are being arrested.

If you have any information on Mason County shootings, contact the local Sheriffs office.

Back in August we told you about an investigation in Marion County after someone shot and killed a farmer's horse and injured another.
Now State Police have made an arrest.

Police say the man who did this is 21-year old Brandon Brady of Lebanon. Now he's in jail charged with cruelty to animals.

Maurice Hays, the horses' owner, says Brady's arrest doesn't take away the pain.

If convicted, Brandon Brady could face up to a year in jail and a five-hundred dollar fine. He heads to court Wednesday.

Source (http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/4403356.html)

[snowtiger]

Ok Foxy, I'm not EVEN going to comment on what you said about the dog being shot at by a farmer!! Anyway, Thank God for people like those at Strodes Run Farm!!

[Foxy]

You know I love you snowtiger, and what happened to your baby is inexcusable!!

[snowtiger]

:) thank you honey. I hope these people who did this don't start making it a habbit. I'm about to move my horses to my house.

[ponto]

Would like to hear more of what happens, if possible. I hope the horse recovers, and soon.

- Kevin

It has now been about 8 days and the horse we call Cochise has not made much progress.

Cochise is on two different daily injected medications.

Also, Cochise receives twice daily ankle baths in a bucket of Epsom salts and topical medications by Danny Hilterbrand who has officially adopted the horse from his previous owner.

His prognosis is still not good, but with luck, love and the support of his new found friends, we hope all will turn out OK.

We are paying for medications from Dr. Vice out of our pocket, but vet bills will start to arrive at the 6-8 week time frame after nature has done what it can do and more doctors will become involved.

Chochise has pieces of broken bone off his ankle from the gunshot.

If chips remain attached they may not interfere with the action of the horse's leg, but can be extremely painful and usually require removal by arthroscopic surgery.

If it is determined that the chip should be removed, arthroscopic surgery is performed followed by three months of rest and an additional three to four months of re-training. The cost of the surgery is approximately $2,000.

There are also complications when a horse basically becomes a three legged animal during the recovery process.

As in the case of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro who's doctor said there are two major concerns in the first days of recovery — the possibility of infection from the wound and laminitis, a potentially fatal disease sometimes brought on by uneven weight balance.

Special Thanks to those that have stopped by to wish him well.

If you would like to help with his recovery, please send your checks to:
Frank Vice DVM -
Fleming County Animal Hospital
Strodes Run Rescue Effort
Water Street
Flemingsburg, KY
(606) 845-4951.

File photo of Danny Hilterbrand working with a mule named Pestus in 2003.
We will try and get photos of Cochise.

.

[Kate Hendrickson]

With pet horses of our own - I feel for what you are going through. And am hoping for the best! Anyone who may have seen anything needs to contact law enforcement and perhaps they will have the same success as the State Police did in Marion County. And due punishment given!

[Foxy]

We can only hope Kate.
I hope that the local laws on animal cruelty improve here. There are still those that shoot peoples dogs, cats, and horses and get away with it. There is not much difference between shooting one animal over another. I hope that the state will start giving harsher sentencing to those convicted of animal cruelty and that there are more prosecutors prepared to prosecute those that are guilty of the crime.

[Kate Hendrickson]

Foxy- I agree. A crime is a crime whether it involves an animal, a person or property and people who commit those crimes need to take responsibility for their unlawful (and cruel) behavior. But first we have to find them!

[bostonbaby]

Ponto, Is there anything besides money that Mr Hilterbrand could use to help out?

[ponto]

Thank you for your question.

Danny is doing fine (time wise) with Chochise, it is all about money for the medications and x - rays for Chochise.

In an added note, I talked with the Sheriffs Dept. today and they have a lead on the shooter.

If an arrest is made, I will let you know and I hope the local media picks up on this story.

This type of crime should not be allowed to happen in Mason County.

[chilterbrand]

We have been working with Cochise on a daily basis. His spirits and appetite are high, but he still isn't trying to put any weight on his foot. He's a very good and gentle horse, and tolerates us.
Someone asked what else could be helpful--We are in need of shelter for him. He is currently in an open pen and is exposed to the weather. Anyone that can come up with a suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

[bostonbaby]

Mr Hilterbrand, have you or do you know if anyone has contacted any of the local places like Kibler Lumber or Hardymon's? Maybe they would donate some lumber for a shelter to be built.

[chilterbrand]

I'm sorry to say that we had to put Cochise down today. His health had started deteriorating. His appetite was waning, and his energy was too. It was in his best interest. He was in constant pain, and we could not let him suffer.
I hope that we can find out who did this !!!
Thank you to those who have been checking up on him.

[kcredden]

Chilterbrand:

You have my sympothies, and condolences. I had to put down my animal companion, Dot 2 years ago and it still hurts even today. But I know when I put her down, it was "her time" - like Cochise, she was in pain; both physical, and I believe mental.

Thank you for keeping us up to date.

I'm sorry to say that we had to put Cochise down today.

[dawg]

There are a lot of deer hunters that come here from out of the area, sneak on your farm to hunt, and don't have any respect for your property or your livestock. And sometimes it can be hard to confront someone holding a high powered rifle.
I am not against hunting, but, I am against those that abuse the privilege.

[ponto]

For those of you that are following this story, let me add a little information.

This horse was shot twice, in a small pasture used for horses. The lay of the land is not a deer hunting area.

Someone traveling from the AA Highway to the Lewisburg area drove down the road, stopped their vehicle, took aim and put two bullets in a very gentle trail riding horse.

If you have any information on someone living in this area, who is prone to shooting moving targets with a 22 cal. weapon, please notify the Sheriff.

This person's attitude needs to be adjusted before they put a bullet in a two legged animal or another family pet.

[dawg]

Ponto, if some of these renegade hunters don't see any deer, they will shoot at anything.....dogs, cows, horses.....and it doesn't matter if the animal is near your home or not. They are not sportsmen.
It has been my experience that if someone has the courtesy to ask the landowner's permission, they are not likely to damage your property.
I hope that whoever shot this horse is caught and meets severe punishment. Also, I believe that it is illegal to fire a weapon from a vehicle.

[Foxy]

It is illegal to shoot someone else's property regardless of how you got there.
I hope we can find whoever did this, and I hope they have talked about it to someone and that person tells the authorities.